Spiff guarded the display case, waiting to capture his prey.  The clock struck midnight, and chattering resumed.  Ready to attack, Spiff leaped up.  With smirks plastered on their faces, the female dolls paraded over to Buckwheat.  Buckwheat’s body stiffened, scared to move.  The females slithered toward him with seductive movements, adding pleasing tones to their conversations. 

     “We would like to apologize for treating you so harshly,” Chelsea said.    

     “Yes, we’re so sorry,” Satin Doll said. 

     “It’s just we’ve never had a male doll in our case, so we did not know how to act,” Sophisticated Lady said. 

     Buckwheat relaxed smiling.  “No problam. I undastand.” 

     Sophisticated Lady extended her hand.  “So let’s call it a truce.” 

Buckwheat clumsily shook Sophisticated Lady’s hand. 

     Sophisticated Lady slipped her hand out of Buckwheat’s grip, transforming to prim and proper.  “We want to formally welcome you to our display case.  My name is Sophisticated Lady from Harlem, New York.” 

The others followed Sophisticated Lady’s lead. 

     As Nalo moved, Buckwheat heard drumbeats.  “My name is Nalo from Central Africa.” 

     Amazing Grace belted out a melody from the song Amazing Grace.  “My name is Amazing Grace from Chicago Shiloh Baptist Church.”  

     With a jazzy stroll, “My name is Satin Doll also from Harlem.” 

     The infants crawled forward.  “My name is Shawna, not exactly from any place.”   

      “I’m Danielle, and I’m the first born of the case.”   

     Extending a box of candy, “My name is Hearts, and I was picked up in Wisconsin.”  Buckwheat grabbed a piece of candy and wolfed it down.   

     Sensitively with caution, “My name is Barbie, and my astrological sign is Cancer.”  Barbie discreetly opened the display case door. 

     “My name is Chelsea, and I am a ballet dancer.” 

     Buckwheat beamed.  “Mah nam Buckwheat and I’s from de tv show Our Gang and it nice meetin ya’ll.”  

Chelsea danced around Buckwheat as he rolled his eyes following her sinuous movements.  She did a battement and kicked him forward, leaving Barbie to finish him off with a jostle as she slammed the door.  Buckwheat crashed to the floor. 

     Slowly rising, massaging his butt, Buckwheat angrily hammered on the glass, “O-tay, let me in.  Dat wuz a durty tric.  I tries tah be nice tah y’all.” 

With little empathy, they gave Buckwheat a dirty stare.  Spiff growled and threateningly moved toward Buckwheat.  Buckwheat darted under the sofa.  Spiff ran after him, digging his nose under the sofa.  

     Hearing the commotion, Bob and Sharon sprang up from their sleep.  

     “What‘s going on with Spiff?” Bob asked. 

He flung the sheet back, but Sharon yawned and collapsed back into the comfort of their bed.  Bob stormed into the living room, switched on the lights, finding Spiff’s head buried underneath the sofa. 

     “Spiff, what are you barking at?”  Bob asked. 

He yanked the sofa.  Buckwheat scurried up a corn plant. 

     “Spiff stop this at once.  There is nothing here,” Bob commanded.

Spiff continued barking and groping under the sofa.  Bob dragged Spiff by the collar, took him outside and tied him to the porch rail.  He marched back in, combed the area, and turned off the light.  Buckwheat descended out of the plant and marched back to the display case. 

     Trying to ingratiate the females, Buckwheat changed his tone of voice.  “Pleas let me in.  I didn’t do anythang wong, pleas.”   

     Sophisticated Lady jerked her head around. “Go away.  We don’t want you in our display case until you change your hideous appearance and speech.” 

     With sullen eyes, Buckwheat dropped to his knees.  “Pleas, I’s sorry.”

     Satin doll gave Buckwheat a repulsive look. “Don’t you get the picture?” “You just don’t fit in.” 

The females returned to their glamorous poses.  Sobbing, Buckwheat knelt on the floor, laid down, and fell asleep to the tick- tick- tock of the grandfather clock.